What Causes Bad Breath Even After Brushing?
Chronic bad breath is called halitosis and is identified by bad breath that does not go away, even after brushing and flossing. There are a number of factors that can contribute to halitosis, including underlying medical conditions, so it is important to see your dentist if you are experiencing bad breath that does not go away with brushing.
What causes bad breath, even after brushing?
One of the leading causes of chronic bad breath is gum disease. When plaque is allowed to accumulate on the teeth, it quickly calcifies into tartar, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed with a professional cleaning, using specialized instruments. When plaque is not brushed and flossed from between the teeth, the calcification into tartar builds up in the gum pockets and causes the gum tissue to pull away from the tooth surface.
When the gum tissue begins to recede, the tooth roots and the underlying jawbone are susceptible to infection and decay. The bacteria from periodontal disease cause halitosis and can even lead to tooth loss.
Additional Causes of Bad Breath
Underlying Medical Conditions
Patients living with diabetes often experience a sweet smell on their breath. Those with gastrointestinal issues or an intestinal obstruction can actually have a fecal odor emitting from their mouth. An intestinal blockage will block anything that is consumed from passing into the intestine, and that food will ferment in the digestive tract, and allow odors to escape through the mouth.
Gastrointestinal issues such as chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cause stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining, leading to chronic bad breath.
Sinus Problems
Side effect: sinus infections can cause bad breath due to an overproduction of mucus, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Head colds, allergies, strep throat, and bronchitis can all cause chronic bad breath. Bad breath, resulting from such conditions, usually resolves after the infection is cleared up.
Lifestyle Habits
Your diet can have an impact on breath, but that is usually short-term and resolves with oral hygiene. But some diets, such as high sugar, low-carb, and high protein diets, can cause metabolic changes that impact long-term health.
Tobacco use can also cause bad breath, even with good oral hygiene. Smoking causes dry mouth, and the decrease in saliva production prevents the mouth from naturally sweeping away bacteria and food particles.
Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oral issues, including bad breath. Bad breath that does not go away after brushing and flossing needs to be addressed by your dentist and possibly your general doctor. It is beneficial to incorporate a tongue scraper that is used after brushing to remove bacteria buildup from the tongue.
Related Article: Is Bad Breath a Sign of Illness?
